Peel Tower

You'll spot Peel Tower long before you reach it - a proper stone sentinel rising from the moorland just outside Lochwinnoch. The tower itself is squat and substantial, built in 1807 as a memorial to Henry Cookes, a local landowner. It's not dramatically tall, but the walk up to it across open ground gives you time to appreciate the views rolling out across Renfrewshire.

The climb takes about forty minutes from the village, threading through heather and rough grass. The path is well-trodden but steep in patches - not a stroll, more a genuine walk. Once you're up there, the views justify every huffing breath. On a clear day you can see across to the Clyde Valley and beyond.

History types will find it modest but interesting - a Victorian memorial with period detail worth studying if you've got the inclination. Families with energetic kids will get a proper outing here rather than a quick tick-box moment. Older walkers might find the climb a bit much for the payoff, though the moor itself is lovely whatever you do.

There's no visitor centre or facilities at the tower itself, which keeps it refreshingly unspoilt. It's free to visit, naturally. Allow a couple of hours return from Lochwinnoch if you're not racing. The Pods at Auchenhean, just down the road, makes a decent base if you're planning to explore the moorland properly. Worth the detour if you're in the area, but don't expect tea and gift shops.